MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Indiana’s LaPorte County was digging out from a massive lake effect snow system on Saturday morning, one that has made travel very difficult, if not impossible, in some places.
At times, the snow was falling at a rate of more than two inches per hour. There were white-out conditions. Cars were stuck everywhere. The winds were gusting at about 40 miles per hour.
Many residents of Michigan City woke to find that plows had not yet come. In cases where the plows did come by, they usually made one pass and left only one lane open, which made it nearly impossible for two vehicles to pass one another, unless they had four-wheel drive with high clearance.
That was the only way many northwest Indiana residents were able to get around on Saturday.
“We’ve accumulated almost 3 feet of snow,” said Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch. “So we’re asking for your support in staying off the roads.”
Deuitch acknowledged that her office has received some calls about plows pushing snow into the yards of local residents. She said they’re doing the best that they can.
“Listen, these are big pieces of equipment,” said the mayor. “These blades are big. It's what happens. Let us get the plowing done if we can. It's not our intention to plow you in. It really isn’t.”
By 10 a.m., AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz told WBBM that it looked like the snow band was finally beginning to show some signs of weakening, as winds from the west started blowing the storm into southwestern Michigan.
“But, boy, it put down some heavy snowfall,” Benz said of the storm. “At times, Interstate 94 was completely snow-covered around Burns Harbor.”
Benz added that 35 inches of snow fell in Michigan City.
Deuitch asked residents for patience as the city worked to clear the snow.
“We are getting through this,” she said. “ This is 36 inches of snow, and it happened in a very short period of time. Can you shovel 36 inches of snow down the street? It’s a lot. It’s a lot.”
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